Rep. Emily Randall

Maddy summaryThe VA Home Loan Navigator Act establishes a free, voluntary program to help veterans and eligible borrowers navigate VA home loan benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will fund independent, neutral organizations to provide education, counseling on loan processes, and assistance with issues like foreclosure prevention and understanding costs. To ensure fairness, the law strictly prohibits these service providers from receiving payments from lenders or real estate agents and requires them to remain operationally separate from any mortgage or brokerage businesses. Designated entities must meet specific criteria, including HUD approval and a primary mission of serving military families, while individual counselors must be certified and recertified every three years. The program will be monitored through regular reports to Congress evaluating borrower satisfaction and outcomes such as foreclosure prevention rates.

Maddy summaryThe Hands Off Elections Act of 2026 prohibits federal employees from participating in or directing others to participate in the administration of federal elections, unless they are already authorized by existing laws such as the Help America Vote Act. This restriction applies to all executive agencies except the United States Postal Service, but it explicitly allows federal workers to assist with cybersecurity measures to protect voting systems. If a state law enforcement officer believes a federal employee has violated these rules, they can file a lawsuit in federal court to stop the behavior. The bill aims to separate federal agency staff from election management duties while preserving their ability to safeguard election technology.

Maddy summaryThe DASH Act aims to expand affordable housing options for low-income individuals, homeless persons, and first-time homebuyers by creating new federal programs and modifying existing tax laws. A primary component is the creation of 250,000 new rental vouchers in 2026 for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, which includes funding for supportive services like healthcare and job training, as well as requirements for public housing agencies to prioritize youth and families. The bill also establishes a modular construction pilot program to lower building costs, a grant system to reward local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing denser housing like duplexes and accessory dwelling units, and a new tax credit to help low-income families purchase starter homes in distressed communities. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers, expands tax incentives for middle-income housing, and makes several adjustments to how homeowners can deduct losses or handle debt discharges related to their principal residences.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026, restricts how unaccompanied children under 18 are handled by immigration authorities in the United States. It requires immigration judges to issue an arrest warrant before detaining these children pending removal decisions and prohibits the use of military personnel or Department of Defense vehicles to transport them for deportation, except during declared natural disasters. Additionally, the law forbids government agencies from pressuring children to sign legal documents that affect their status without first ensuring they have confidential access to a lawyer, mandating legal referrals within five business days if a child does not already have one.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026 aims to improve the immigration court process for unaccompanied children by guaranteeing them government-funded legal representation. Under this bill, the Department of Health and Human Services would appoint lawyers for these children as soon as they enter federal custody, ensuring they have an attorney for every stage of their case, even if they turn 18 or are reunited with family while proceedings are pending. The law also requires that children receive copies of their immigration files at least seven days before a hearing and allows them to have a lawyer present during interviews and detention facility visits. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on how many children received counsel and establishes rules for pro bono legal services to support these efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026, aims to change how overtime pay is calculated for employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. It directly affects workers who currently earn less than $23,660 annually, as it would require employers to pay them two times their regular hourly rate instead of one and a half times for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. The law takes effect 180 days after it is signed, ensuring a transition period before the new pay requirements begin. By raising the overtime multiplier, the legislation seeks to increase earnings for hourly workers who work extra hours.

Maddy summaryHR 6916, the Federal Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Act of 2025, prohibits individuals convicted of specific federal fraud-related felonies from receiving federal contracts, grants, or other financial assistance. It automatically adds such individuals to the federal exclusion database (System for Award Management) within three years of conviction, preventing their access to federal funds. Agency heads may grant limited written waivers for exemptions, but must notify Congress immediately. The bill applies to all federal agencies and requires the Attorney General and General Services Administrator to issue implementation guidance within one year of enactment. It targets individuals convicted of offenses like wire fraud, identity theft, or bribery under specified federal laws.

Maddy summaryHR 2860 reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative through 2032, continuing a program focused on protecting Puget Sound's marine ecosystem in Washington State. It maintains the existing Northwest Straits Advisory Commission (composed of local county representatives, Tribal governments, and state officials) and requires it to coordinate habitat restoration, monitor water quality, and collaborate with Tribal nations on conservation efforts. The bill authorizes $10 million annually (2026-2031) for the Commission to carry out its duties, including developing science-based restoration plans and reporting progress on benchmarks like habitat protection and water quality. It emphasizes collaboration with local communities, Tribal governments, and federal agencies like NOAA, without granting regulatory authority.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Student Privacy Act prevents federal student aid data from being shared with immigration enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing immigration laws. This rule applies to information held by the Department of Education regarding students and their financial contributors, such as parents or spouses, and blocks its use for arrests, interviews, or surveillance by the Department of Homeland Security and other authorized entities. The law includes specific exceptions for court orders related to criminal offenses and for cases where a student or contributor voluntarily and without pressure consents to sharing their information. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to report any unauthorized disclosures to Congress and states that this new rule overrides any conflicting state or local laws.